Monday

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — More than 100 people gathered in the Fox Point neighborhood Monday afternoon to decry “racist” fliers that appeared in the city and beyond over the weekend.

The pink fliers show a picture of Jim Vincent, who is the president of Providence’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Vincent’s Facebook profile picture is pasted beneath the words: “Negro Crime in Mayor Jorge O. Elorza’s Sanctuary City.”

The mayor and other local political leaders declared the fliers “deplorable and despicable.”

“This is an assault on the values we hold dear and the principles by which we live our lives,” said Elorza. “We are an inclusive city. We are a caring city. We are a kind city. We are a compassionate city. And most of all we are city that comes together to support each other when we’re in need.”

He spoke to anyone “sympathetic to the words and messages in the flier” who may be watching or listening to the press conference saying: “You don’t belong in our community and the hate that you bring will not be tolerated.”

Public Safety Commission Steven Paré said police are looking into the incident, but it is not a criminal investigation at this point.

Vincent, who was the target of part of the pamphlet, said the local Federal Bureau of Investigations is “aware” of the materials.

“If people thought this was going to make me silent they were wrong,” Vincent said to reporters. “I’m going to keep talking and keep getting out there.”